Dispensing closure and spout

ABSTRACT

A dispensing closure for a flowable product, the closure comprising means for causing a varying product discharge direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of PCT International Application PCT/EP2013/056633, which was filed Mar. 27, 2013, and which claims priority to Great Britain Patent Application No. 1205637.0, filed Mar. 29, 2012, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects relates generally to a dispensing closure and particularly, although not exclusively, to a dispensing closure for a flowable product.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

There are a huge variety of dispensing closures for dispensing products such as liquids, gels, pastes, semi-solid products and the like. In known dispensing closures the direction in which the product is discharged is constant and linear. This means that if it is required to produce a pattern using the product then the entire pack must be moved to cause a variation in discharge direction.

According to an example, there is provided a dispensing closure for a flowable product, the closure comprising means for causing a varying product discharge direction.

The closure can comprise means for causing a varying, non-linear product discharge direction.

Dispensing closures formed according to an example can therefore be configured to introduce deliberate variation in the discharge direction. This allows, for example, non-linear discharge without the need to have off-linear movement of the closure.

In use, the discharge direction may be caused to be partly sinuous. For example a “squiggle” pattern may be established by a closure which forces a change in direction of the product as it is discharged.

The closure may comprise a spout. Spouts forming an integral part of a closure are envisaged, as are separate spouts which are attached or attachable to a closure body. The spout may be formed from the same or a different material as the rest of a closure. For example, in some embodiments spouts may be formed from ‘soft’ material. Elastomeric materials such as thermoplastic elastomers or silicone may be used.

The spout may include one or more interior flow-directing surfaces, for example one or more ramps arranged in a spiral pattern. Where a plurality of ramps are provided they may be discrete. Additionally or alternatively the spout may comprise one or more flow-directing slots.

In some embodiments the spout itself is fixed so that flow-directing surfaces are used to introduce variation in the discharge direction. Alternatively or additionally the spout may be movable, for example in response to product flow therethrough. In an example, the spout can be flexible. The spout can oscillate or otherwise move in response to the passage of a product through the spout.

The closure may be movable between an open and a closed position. The closure may therefore include a dispensing passage which can be blocked or unblocked depending on the configuration of the closure. In some embodiments, for example, part of the closure can be rotated to move the closure between the open and closed positions.

In an example, a condiment dispensing closure comprising a closure as described herein is provided. Particular utility is found with condiments such as mustards, ketchups and the like. Such products have a relatively higher viscosity at a given temperature, such as typical room temperature for example, which can contribute to a varying discharge direction of the product since flow rate is inversely proportional to viscosity. Thus, the relatively more viscous products can flow at a reduced rate through the spout, whereby to enable a synergistic interaction with the spout and the flow directing means whereby to cause a varying discharge direction, which varying direction is typically maintained as the product settles, again, due to the relatively viscous nature of the product.

According to an example, there is provided a closure as described herein in combination with a container. A dispensing pack comprising a dispensing closure and a suitable container is therefore envisaged.

According to an example, there is provided a discharge spout for a dispensing closure, the spout comprising means for causing a varying product discharge direction therefrom.

The spout described herein may therefore be used as part of the dispensing closure described herein.

According to an example, there is provided a spout with one or more integral flow-directing means to cause a varying, non-linear product discharge direction for a flowable product passing through the spout.

Further particular and preferred aspects are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a dispensing closure formed according to example in use.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dispensing closure formed according to an example.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative example.

FIG. 4 is a perspective magnified view of a spout region of a closure of the type shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a magnified view of the spout region of a closure of the type shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a closure formed according to an alternative example.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the closure FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the closure of FIGS. 6 and 7 shown with a dust cap removed.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the closure of FIGS. 6 to 8 shown attached to a container.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a closure formed according to an alternative example, shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments are described below in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

The terminology used herein to describe embodiments is not intended to limit the scope. The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are singular in that they have a single referent, however the use of the singular form in the present document should not preclude the presence of more than one referent. In other words, elements referred to in the singular can number one or more, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, items, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Referring first to FIG. 1 there is shown a dispensing closure generally indicated 10 and connected to a container 15. The closure 10 is, in this embodiment, a flip top closure including a base 20 and a lid 25 connected together by a hinge 30. The base 20 includes a spout or nozzle 35 through which product (in this embodiment mustard) 40 is discharged. As described in more detail below, when the closure 10 is used to discharge product it can be moved in a generally linear direction A whilst producing a generally sinuous or “squiggle” pattern 45.

FIG. 2 shows a closure 110 of the same general type as the closure 10 shown in FIG. 1. The closure 110 includes a discharge spout 135 for causing the varying product discharge direction. Similarly, FIG. 3 shows a closure 210 with a discharge spout 235.

The closure 110 of FIG. 2 operates using the principles described in relation to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows a closure base 320 including a dispensing orifice 350 which terminates with a dispensing spout 335.

The spout 335 is generally cylindrical and in this embodiment is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The interior surface 336 of the spout 335 is provided with four circumferentially spaced spiral ramps 337 which project radially inwardly.

In use, product is forced through the orifice 350 and into the interior of the spout 335 whereupon it passes over the ramps 337. This prevents the product from following a simple linear flow path and instead introduces a vortex-like effect causing the fluid to spiral as it exits the spout to cause a varying product discharge direction.

The closure 210 of FIG. 3 operates using the principles described in relation to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which a base 420 is again provided with a spout 435. In this embodiment the spout 435 is again generally cylindrical and in this case is provided with four mutually spaced, separate spiral slots 438 extending from its free end. The slots are generally longitudinal i.e. they run along the length of the spout in the general direction of product flow. There is only one discrete ramp on the interior of each part of the nozzle i.e. the ramps do no contact each other or extend from each other and each forms less than a complete turn. The slots 438 function in a similar way to the ramps 337 of the closure nozzle 335 in as much as they force a non-linear flow path into discharging product.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show a closure 510 formed according to an alternative embodiment. The closure base 520 is provided with a central nozzle 522 which defines a dispensing passageway that terminates with a discharge spout 535. The spout 535 is provided with flow direction control means (not shown).

The nozzle 522 is rotatable with respect to the base 520 as illustrated by arrow B in FIG. 7 to cause an internal dispensing passage to be opened and closed by rotation in the clockwise and anti-clockwise directions.

The closure 510 is further provided with a removable cap 555.

Referring now to FIG. 10 there is shown a closure 610 formed according to an alternative embodiment. The closure 610 comprises a base 620 with a turret-like upstand 624 from which extends a generally tubular discharge spout 635. The spout 635 is formed from a TPE material and is thus flexible and resilient. Due to the length of the spout 635 and the thickness of the material from which it is formed it is not entirely self-supporting; in other words it has a tendency to move. When product is forced through the spout 635 it is caused to oscillate in direction C so product is dispensed in a sinuous pattern 645.

Although illustrative embodiments have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that these are not limited to the precise examples shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A dispensing closure for a flowable product, the closure comprising means for causing a varying product discharge direction.
 2. The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which, in use, the discharge direction is caused to be at least partly sinuous.
 3. The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the closure comprises a spout.
 4. The closure as claimed in claim 3, in which the spout includes one or more interior flow-directing surfaces.
 5. The closure as claimed in claim 4, in which the surfaces comprise one or more ramps.
 6. The closure as claimed in claim 4, in which the surfaces are arranged in a spiral pattern.
 7. The closure as claimed in claim 3, in which the spout comprises one or more flow-directing slots.
 8. The closure as claimed in claim 3, in which the spout is movable.
 9. The closure as claimed in claim 3, in which the spout is a movable in response to product flow therethrough.
 10. The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the closure is movable between an open position and a closed position.
 11. The closure as claimed in claim 1, in combination with a container.
 12. The closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flowable product is a condiment.
 13. A spout with one or more integral flow-directing means to cause a varying, non-linear product discharge direction for a flowable product passing through the spout.
 14. The spout as claimed in claim 13, in which, in use, the discharge direction is caused to be at least partly sinuous.
 15. The spout as claimed in claim 13, further including one or more interior flow-directing surfaces.
 16. The spout as claimed in claim 15, in which the surfaces comprise one or more ramps.
 17. The spout as claimed in claim 15, in which the surfaces are arranged in a spiral pattern.
 18. The spout as claimed in claim 13, further comprising one or more flow-directing slots.
 19. The spout as claimed in claim 13, wherein the spout is flexible.
 20. The spout as claimed in claim 19, wherein the spout is operable to oscillate in response to the passage of product passing therethrough. 